Highlights:
· The ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that started on April 15th, have continued for 156 days as of September 18th.
· Sudan’s humanitarian situation has escalated into a catastrophe and spilled over into neighboring countries.
· As of August 23rd, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project has reported that at least 5,000 people have been killed due to the conflict:
o A total of 19 humanitarian workers have been killed and 29 injured.
o The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 11 health workers have been killed and 38 injured.
o Actual figures may be higher with communications challenges and ongoing violence inhibiting systematic reporting.
· This year, humanitarian partners are aiming to reach 51.9 million people with life-saving assistance.
· Displacement and Refugees Update:
o Over 5.2 million people have had to flee their homes in Sudan, including over 4.1 million people who have been displaced inside the country and over one million refugees, asylum seekers and returnees have crossed borders in search of safety to Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
o Sudan now has the highest number of internally displaced people globally.
· WHO has assisted in upgrading the Public Health Laboratory in Port Sudan to National Public Health Laboratory status with the provision of equipment, supplies, and training.
· Food Security Update:
o There has been a 30% increase in acute malnutrition cases in the conflict affected areas of Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan states. Acute malnutrition has also increased by 15% in localities hosting displaced people and 10% across the rest of the country.
o The overall Integrated Food Security (IPC) Phase of Sudan is currently at Crisis IPC Phase 3 (Crisis):
ü IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) persists particularly in Khartoum and in areas of Greater Darfur, Greater Kordofan, and Blue Nile with large urban centers that have been affected by direct fighting.
ü Of highest concern are urban populations in El Geneina, Nyala, and Kadugli due to the impacts of intensive fighting, with some households in El Geneina likely facing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophic) given the severity of fighting that has significantly disrupted household mobility and delivery of assistance since mid-April.
ü Additionally, urban populations in Khartoum remain of high concern given the continued severe disruption to food and income access and likelihood of high number of households facing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) outcomes.
· The UN Central Emergency Response Fund and the and the UN Country-Based Pooled Funds has allocated $167 million to provide life-saving aid.
· The Humanitarian Research Lab and the Conflict Observatory has released a report of a possible mass grave in El-Geneina:
o The report shows the alleged disposal of more than four light-toned objects measuring 1.8 to 2.2 meters consistent with body bags containing human remains at a site in El-Geneina.
o There are widespread and credible reports that RSF and its allies have committed alleged atrocities against civilians.
o There have been at least 30 mass grave sites identified utilizing satellite imagery.
Sources:
· Sudan Conflict: Regional Impact Snapshot (As of Sep 2023)
· Sudan Conflict: Regional Humanitarian Needs and Requirements (As of 19 September 2023)
· IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix Sudan - Weekly Displacement Snapshot 04 (19 September 2023)
· Sudan Food Security Outlook Update, August 2023
· Sudan Situation - UNHCR External Update #27, 11-18 September 2023
· At a Glance: Protection Impact from the Conflict, Update no. 16, 17 September 2023
· Sudan: Commissioner Lenarčič calls for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian operations
· UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission Sudan Twitter Page
· Conflict Observatory Twitter Page
· UNOCHA Sudan Twitter Page
Resources
Sudan: If We Fail to Act (as of September 2023) (New)
WHO Foundation, Health Emergency Response for Sudan